Just throw in things that appeal to you! But be sure to keep track so you can repeat it if it is a winner. I know what spices/herbs I like with certain things, and I have never cooked anything in a crockpot yet that wasn't edible. I don't usually like things cooked as long as a lot of crock pot recipes suggest, so a good meat thermometer is a must in my kitchen. The last thermometer I bought is made by Taylor and has a reduced point on the end that quickly checks the temp and doesn't poke a big hole in the meat, either. I got it from Amazon for about $12 I think it was. Another handy thing about this one is that the correct doneness for most meats is right on the cover. I couldn't find one exactly like it here so that is why I ordered it. I also ordered extra batteries for it for practically nothing because the price in stores for batteries that it needs can cost nearly $5! Ordinarily, the batteries last about a year a more.

"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." -- Benjamin Franklin

Just would like to reminded, in the book of Cook Right for your type on page 74 it says:

“Pots, Pans, Utensils.

It can be dangerous to use the wrong kind of pot or pan for cooking. Never use decorative-type pots and pans for cooking, such as copper or pewter pans. Some are made of a mixture of lead and silver, toxic metals that can leach into the food during the cooking process. Also be especially careful with ceramic pots. Make sure the glazes and paints are free of lead. Porcelain, Corning-type glassware, and enameled surfaces are fine for cooking.” And much more.

So, the crockpots I saw at the store all had paint on the inside (black or white). If you buy a crockpot that is painted on the inside, please make sure to buy a separate glass dish. You can put the glass dish inside the crockpot’s pot. This way your food doesn’t touch the painted inside surface. When you put the glass dish inside the crockpot, make sure you put water inside the glass dish as well in the crockpot so it doesn’t dry out during cooking. The only drawback is that the glass dish will be smaller than what you would normally have to use in the crockpot. This limits the size of the food you can put in it. You may have to cook in smaller portions.

This way your food doesn’t touch the painted inside surface. When you put the glass dish inside the crockpot, make sure you put water inside the glass dish as well in the crockpot so it doesn’t dry out during cooking. The only drawback is that the glass dish will be smaller than what you would normally have to use in the crockpot. This limits the size of the food you can put in it. You may have to cook in smaller portions.